Had our septic system inspection done for building the new house, the system failed. So we had to get a perc test done to see if we could get a new septic system. We do qualify for a sand mound septic system, at this time we are in the design stage. Things were looking pretty bad for awhile. We were told we’d possibly have to get holding tanks or a small stream discharge system, both very expensive in the end. The small stream discharge system also needs state DEP approval which can take a year or more. It also requires more inspections, paper work needs to be submitted regularly, chemical treatment of discharge, and regular testing of what’s being discharged.

So I got an IBC to hold the water for the perc test.

IBC for perc test.Digging holes for perc test.Filled ready to go.

Took about 15 hours to fill from the well.

Now to the rainwater harvesting part.

After the perc test was finished, moved the IBC up to the pole barn. This is where the first version of the system is going to be set up. Version one is mainly for testing and is also used to clean equipment. Ordered from Amazon (couldn’t find anything local) –

All lights now working. Used Hyperikon T-8, 15 watt, 6,000K frosted LED tubes. These tubes are awesome, it’s like daylight inside the shop now. They have a rated lifetime of 45,000 hours. All 48 tubes worked fine not one bad one. Others I looked at, reviews stated about getting bad tubes delivered and hassles with returns of defective tubes. Best part only about $0.11 / hour to run all the lights and should last like 20 years. Electricity with all fees is $0.16 / kWh (kilowatt hour) in our area. Fluorescent tubes would cost about $0.24 / hour. Lifetime savings for using LED tubes come to $5,820.00 if each tube last 45,000 hours.

Update.

All lights still working, had a minor altercation with one of the lights. While working on the front end loader on tractor I raised it up just a little too far. Hit one of the light fixtures and knocked one of the tubes out of the fixture. After hitting light and falling 10 feet to concrete floor, I thought that was it for it.

I thought damage to tube was terminal. Took pliers and straightened out housing best I could. Straightened sheet metal on light fixture and put everything back together. As you can see the tube lit up – doesn’t look the best but still works.

Very impressed with these LED tubes. If that would have been a regular fluorescent tube, it would have shattered and I would have had a small haz-mat situation from the mercury in the tube. Would definitely recommend and buy again. Thanks Hyperikon.

Haven’t decided yet what I’ll be doing with the rest of the walls as far as wall covering. Or about insulating the ceiling or roof area. This bay will get a second layer of foam insulation and covered with 3/4″ plywood. this is for the in floor radiant heating system. On the outside of this wall I’m planning for a rain water catchment system. It will have a faucet out by driveway to wash off equipment and a deep sink in this bay for hand washing. This system will also be used to water garden and hopefully green house.

All lights now working. Used Hyperikon T-8, 15 watt, 6,000K frosted LED tubes. These tubes are awesome, it’s like daylight inside the shop now. They have a rated lifetime of 45,000 hours. All 48 tubes worked fine not one bad one. (Other brands I looked at, reviews stated about getting bad tubes delivered and hassles with returns of defective tubes.) Best part only about $0.11 / hour to run all the lights and should last like 20 years. Electricity with all fees is $0.16 / kWh (kilowatt hour) in our area. Fluorescent tubes would cost about $0.24 / hour. Lifetime savings for using LED tubes come to $5,820.00 if each tube last 45,000 hours.

The Lift Master 8500 is a jack shaft door opener. Unit mounts on wall which I like better than having one hanging from ceiling. Got this from Amazon. Was fairly easy to install and setup, it is also very quiet.

Used the Harbor Freight 2 ton shop crane to lift my old air compressor out of trailer. using this one till I decide which air compressor i’m getting for shop. Then this one will go back to the shed for use there. Shop crane worked great, little slow to raise up.

Not a lot happening now, with holidays and being very wet around here. Good it wasn’t very cold would have had a lot of snow. Outside work stopped till things dry out some. Electrician came just before Christmas and got service installed.

Electric service from inside.Outside of electric service.

We had a non-traditional Christmas dinner, Swordfish with cheese raviolis covered with a butter lemon sauce, and cheddar biscuits. Came out very good, this was all Donna she does all the good cooking around here. I did do the cleanup tho.

Non-traditional dinner.

Also had wine with meal that we got while in Cape May, NJ. Isaac Smith Port from Cape May Winery.

Isaac Smith Port

Talked to contractor about building house for us, waiting on estimate. No more dumpsters sitting around now. All cleanup is done except old barn foundation and brush pile.

Penelec hooked up electric on the 6th of January.

Penelec hooking up electric

Started working on the inside wiring, starting with lights. Putting together and rewiring lights for LED bulbs.

Lights, conduit, wire, and other materials for wiring.Six of 12 lights ready to go.Down to last light.Working on putting up lights, got 8 up this day.